The Boston Red Sox are expected to make moves before the deadline on July 31, and reports indicated that the reigning world champions are interested in acquiring Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp.

The Red Sox, who are currently at the cellar of American League East with a 48-57 record, are reportedly looking for offensive help and Kemp is on top of their list.

However, in order to acquire Kemp, the Red Sox should include Jon Lester in the trade package, which could also include future assets and cash considerations.

"The Red Sox are considering making a move for Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp, according to a club source," ESPN's Gordon Edes wrote. "With the Sox in need of more offensive production in the outfield, the right-handed-hitting Kemp could be the major piece in a trade for Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester."

Kemp struggled in the past two seasons after undergoing two operations on his left shoulder and another one on his left ankle, but the 29-year-old veteran has been showing improvements this season.

The nine-year veteran, who has spent his entire career with the Dodgers, is batting .277 this season with eight homeruns and 40 RBIs along with five stolen bases.

ESPN's Buster Olney named the Dodgers as the most likely landing spot for Lester, although they will have to absorb a significant amount of salaries to make the deal happen.

But while a deal for Lester could hurt them in the long run because the left hander has yet to agree to a long-term deal, sources indicated that they might still pull the trigger before the deadline.

"Making a trade problematic is Kemp's contract; the Dodgers would have to be willing to eat a considerable sum for the deal to make any sense for Boston to make it. They might be willing to do so for a pitcher of Lester's magnitude, though again, with no assurances that Lester would be no more than a two-month rental, that also would seem to limit how much the Dodgers would give," Edes said.

Lester, who is 10-7 this season with 149 strikeouts and a 2.52 ERA, insisted that he wants to stay in Boston, but he admitted that he would be surprised if he were to be dealt before Thursday's deadline.

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